Gallaher

Gallaher Limited was a major British tobacco company. It was founded in 1897 by Tom Gallaher and John Gallaher. The company's origins can be traced back to a small tobacco shop established by John Gallaher in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1857. Gallaher Limited grew to become one of the largest tobacco manufacturers in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The company produced a wide range of cigarette and tobacco brands, some of which became household names. Key brands included Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, and Old Holborn. Gallaher was known for its significant advertising and marketing efforts, which played a substantial role in establishing its brand recognition. The company also diversified its operations over time, although tobacco remained its core business.

In 2007, Gallaher Limited was acquired by the Japanese tobacco company Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI) for £7.5 billion. This acquisition marked the end of Gallaher as an independent entity and integrated its brands and operations into JTI's global portfolio. The Gallaher name is no longer used as a corporate brand, but its historical brands continue to be manufactured and sold under JTI ownership. The company played a significant role in the history of the tobacco industry in the UK and Ireland.